Vol. 13 No. 3 July 2017
— Research shaping the development agenda
'Relationship with ASEAN Foundation for our Act East Policy' — Smt. Sushma Swaraj
Hon'ble Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, delivering Keynote Address on ASEAN-India Partnership. (From left to right): Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS; Amb. Hardeep S Puri, Chairperson, RIS; H.E. Mr. Ton Sinh Thanh, Ambassador of Vietnam to India; Shri Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), MEA; and Dr. Prabir De, Coordinator, AIC at RIS.
To commemorate 25 years of ASEAN- on “ASEAN-India Partnership” on gave the Introductory remarks. In India Partnership, RIS and ASEAN 22 June 2017 at New Delhi. More her keynote address, Smt. Sushma India Centre (AIC) at RIS invited Smt. than 500 participants attaned. Prof. Swaraj discussed many aspects Sushma Swaraj, Hon'ble Minister of Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, of India’s strategic partnership External Affairs, Government of RIS, gave welcome remarks. Amb. with ASEAN. India is working India, to deliver the Keynote Address Hardeep S Puri, Chairperson, RIS continued on page 4...
Prime Minister Lauds Vision Document on “Asia Africa Growth Corridor”
Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri conversations with our brothers Narendra Modi, in his address and sisters from Africa. India and at the inauguration of the Japanese research institutions have Annual Meeting of the African come up with a Vision Document. Development Bank (AfDB) on I congratulate RIS, ERIA and IDE- 23 May 2017 at Ahmedabad, JETRO for their efforts in putting underlined: “I gladly recall it together. This was done in my detailed conversation with consultation with think-tanks from Prime Minister Abe during my Africa. I understand the Vision visit to Tokyo. We discussed Document would be presented at our commitments for enhancing the Board meeting later. The idea growth prospects for all. In our is that India and Japan, with other joint declaration, we mentioned Hon’ble Prime Minister speaking at the Annual Meeting of the African Development Bank (AfDB). willing partners, would explore an Asia Africa Growth Corridor joint initiatives in skills, health, (AAGC) and proposed further continued on page 6...
RIS Diary July 2017 1 Policy Dialogues 'Achieve Goal 5 for Success in Other Goals' says Smriti Irani at RIS, NITI, UN Consultation
Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Hon'ble Minister of Textiles, delivering Keynote Address. (From left to right): Dr. Ashok Kumar Jain, Shri Arvind Panagariya, Amb. Hardeep S Puri, and Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi.
The RIS, jointly with the NITI Aayog equality between men and women Sashtikaran; equal voice participation and the UN in India organized the in decision making power, not and leadership in decision-making, National Consultations with States limiting only to parliamentarian or Samaanta Bhagidari Netritva. with focus on specific SDG goals. panchayat level, but also at the lower In the second National As part of this series, two National levels and in narrowing wage gap Consultation on SDG 2 on the theme Consultations were held at New between the male and the female. ‘Achieve Food Security, Improved Delhi on SDG 5 related to Gender She also referred to Prime Minister’s Nutrition and Promote Sustainable Equality issues on 11 April 2017 and ambitious initiatives for promoting Agriculture’ on 13 April 2017 in SDG 2 on Zero Hunger on 13 April gender equality like Beti Bachao, New Delhi. Dr. Ashok Kumar Jain, 2017. The Consultation on Gender Beti Padhao, Mudra Yojana, Ujjwala Adviser (Rural Development & Equality began with the welcome Scheme and to build toilets for girls SDGs), NITI Aayog, gave welcome remarks by Dr. Ashok Kumar Jain, in all schools. remarks. Amb. Hardeep Singh Adviser (Rural Development and Shri Arvind Panagariya, Vice Puri, Chairperson, RIS and Mr Yuri SDGs), NITI Aayog. Shri Hardeep Chairman, NITI Aayog, said that Afanasiev, UN Resident Coordinator, S Puri, Chairperson, RIS delivered ultimately we all believe in equality India, gave Special Remarks in special remarks and Shri Arvind of all human beings, regardless of the inaugural session. The Panagariya, Vice Chairman, NITI gender, race or religion and therefore Keynote Address was delivered by Aayog, gave inaugural address. undoubtedly SDG 5 has to be Shri Y.S. Mathur, Additional Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Minister of absolutely central goal. Ambassador Secretary, NITI Aayog. Textiles, gave the keynote address. Hardeep S Puri, Chairperson, RIS, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director Dr. Bibek Debroy, Member, focused mainly on six sustainable NITI Aayog chaired the Session I General, RIS also addressed the development targets and means participants. on Ensuring Food and Nutrition of implementation, covering three Security. The panelists in the session The Hon’ble Minister stressed cardinal aspects of gender equality included Shri Amod Kanth, Founder that SDG 5 would connect with and women’s empowerment Prayas; Shri Deepak Kumar, Joint achieving various targets efficiently. (GEWE) – physical security, integrity Secretary, Department of Food & She also emphasised about the and dignity, Suraksha aur Samman, Public Distribution; Dr. A. Laxmaiah, role of education which is going to Manav Adhikar; equal capabilities, Scientist, National Institute of make a huge difference in bringing opportunities and choice, Sampoorna continued on page 10...
2 RIS Diary July 2017 Policy Dialogues
Mid-Term Review of the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-2020)
Hon’ble Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry, Government of India, chairing the session. (From left to right): Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi; Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary; Amb. Hardeep S Puri; and Shri A. K. Bhalla.
As India is in the process of for Commerce and Industry, Director General of Foreign Trade, implementation of GST, it may Government of India, chaired the (DGFT) and Prof. S. K. Mohanty, RIS. be relevant to explore its possible meeting. The programme began Thereafter, participants discussed implications on India’s trade policy. with the welcome remarks by Prof. In this context, RIS in collaboration over various issues. The second Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, with the Department of Commerce, session was for discussion on Export RIS. Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Government of India, organized a Promotion Measures in Other Asian Secretary, made initial remarks. Mid-Term Review of the Foreign Economies. Shri Nikunj Kumar Ambassador Hardeep S Puri, Trade Policy (2015-2020) on Srivastava, Additional Director Chairperson, RIS also addressed 6 May 2017 at New Delhi. Hon’ble General of Foreign Trade, made Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister the participants. Presentations concluding remarks. of State (Independent Charge) were made by Shri A. K. Bhalla,
Roundtable Discussion on 25 Years of ASEAN-India Partnership
The RIS and ASEAN India Centre (AIC) at RIS jointly organised a Roundtable on “25 Years of ASEAN- India Partnership” on 22 June 2017 at New Delhi. The programme began with the welcome remarks by Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS. The session was Chaired by Amb. Hardeep S Puri, Chairperson, RIS. Amb. Amar Sinha, Secretary (Economic Relations), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, gave special remarks. ASEAN Roundtable Discussion on 25 Years of ASEAN-India Partnership in progress. Ambassadors, Indian diplomats, Dr. Prabir De, Coordinator India relations, covering trade, Academicians and Researchers were ASEAN-India Centre at RIS, made a investment, connectivity and cultural the main participants. presentation on 25 years of ASEAN- linkages. All ASEAN Heads of Mission shared their opinions.
RIS Diary July 2017 3 Policy Dialogues
Workshop on Job Creation in Manufacturing Sector as a Strategy for Sustainable Economic Growth in South Asia
Participants of the conference on Job Creation in Manufacturing Sector as a Strategy for Sustainable Economic Growth in South Asia
The RIS has initiated a major was organised on 5 December 2016 in SACEPS. Dr. Sagar Prasai, Country research project in 2016-17 on “Job New Delhi with expert participants Representative, Asia Foundation Creation in Manufacturing Sector as from South Asian countries. and Professor Deepak Nayyar, a Strategy for Sustainable Economic As the follow-up, RIS jointly Emeritus Professor of Economics, Growth in South Asia” with the with SACEPS and Asia Foundation Jawaharlal Nehru University, New support from the Asia Foundation organised the second one-day Delhi, made opening remarks. In as part of the SACEPS Research Workshop on “Job Creation in different sessions, issues related Programme. The manufacturing Manufacturing Sector Strategy for to Manufacturing Sector and Job sector holds the key for sustainable Sustainable Economic Growth in Creation; Industrial Policy, External economic growth in South Asia South Asia” on 21 June 2017 at New Sector and Employment; and Skills, through gainful, productive and Delhi. The programme started with Competitiveness and Sustainability widespread employment generation the welcome remarks by Professor were discussed. The detailed by bridging existing inequalities. The Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, agenda is uploaded on the website: first workshop under this project RIS, and Executive Director, www.ris.org.in
Relationship with ASEAN foundation... to enhance connectivity by land, Financial continued from page 1 air and sea to transform corridors with ASEAN towards evolving of connectivity into corridors of Cooperation among regional security architecture in the economic cooperation. BRICS Countries Asia-Pacific that hinges on peaceful The North-east region is a The RIS Breakfast Seminar on settlement of disputes, finding ‘natural partner’ in India’s Act East “Financial Cooperation among collaborative solutions to emerging Policy. She highlighted that for and non-traditional challenges, and BRICS Countries: Existing enhancement of digital connectivity, support for the centrality of ASEAN. Mechanisms and Future specific proposals have been put She reiterated that India is actively Discourse” was held on 7 April forward, involving setting up of a engaged in Regional Comprehensive 2017. Dr. Priyadarshi Dash, regional high-capacity fibre-optic Economic Partnership negotiations Research Associate, RIS, gave network, supplemented by national involving ASEAN and its six FTA a presentation on the topic. rural broadband networks and partners, which, when finalized, Mr. Alok Dimri, Joint Secretary digital villages in remote areas. At would be the largest regional trading (MER), Ministry of External the end of the lecture programme arrangement, accounting for about Affairs, Government of India, Dr. Prabir De, Coordinator, AIC, 40 per cent of the world trade. The chaired the seminar. extended the vote of thanks. Minister said that efforts were on
4 RIS Diary July 2017 Policy Dialogues
Roundtable on Deepening India-Russia Partnership: Exploring New Vistas
(From left to right) Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi; H.E. Anatoly V. Kargapolov, Charge d’ Affairs, Embassy of the Russian Federation; Amb. Hardeep S. Puri; Amb. P. S. Raghavan; Mr. Yuri Afanasiev; and Dr. Ram Upendra Das at the Roundtable.
In light of the commemorative Embassy of the Russian Federation, Naval Command, Government of events related to ‘70 years of India- New Delhi, and Mr Yuri Afanasiev, India, were the main speakers. Russia Diplomatic Relations’ a UN Resident Coordinator and The second session on Way Roundtable on ‘Deepening India- UNDP Resident Representative in Forward was chaired by Dr. S. R. Russia Partnership: Exploring India, New Delhi, delivered special Hashim, Chairman, Institute for New Vistas’ was organised by addresses. Dr. Ram Upendra Das, Human Development, New Delhi. RIS on 6 April 2017 at New Delhi. Professor, RIS gave closing remarks. The main speakers in this session It assumed importance senior Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar, were Prof. Anuradha M. Chenoy, government officials, policy-makers, Former Ambassador of India Professor, School of International academicians and representatives to Kazakhstan, chaired the first Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru from trade, business and media session on Trade, Investment and University; Ms. Jyoti Malhotra, Senior participated in the discussion. Development Cooperation. Prof. Journalist and President, South Asian The roundtable started with Gulshan Sachdeva, Professor, School Women in Media (SAWM); Prof. welcome remarks by Prof. Sachin of International Studies, Jawaharlal Sanjay Pandey, Professor, School Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS Nehru University, New Delhi; Mr. of International Studies, Jawaharlal and initial remarks by Ambassador Pranav Kumar, Head (Trade & Nehru University, New Delhi; Dr. Hardeep S. Puri, Chairperson, International Policy), Confederation Ash Narain Roy, Director, Institute RIS. Ambassador P. S. Raghavan, of Indian Industry, New Delhi; Mr. of Social Sciences, New Delhi. Former Ambassador of India to Dharamveer, Industrialist, India- Mr. G. V. Srinivas, Joint Secretary the Russian Federation, chaired the Russia Trade; and Vice Admiral Anup (ERS), Ministry of External Affairs, inaugural session. H.E. Mr. Anatoly Singh (Retd), Former C-in-C, Eastern Government of India, delivered the V. Kargapolov, Charge d’ Affairs, valedictory address.
RIS Diary July 2017 5 Policy Dialogues Blue Economy Framework for Sustainable Development and Economic Prosperity The RIS, jointly with the Ministry of Earth Sciences, organised a public lecture on “Blue Economy Framework for Sustainable Development and Economic Prosperity” by Prof. Charles Colgan, National Ocean Economics Programme (NOEP), USA, on 25 April 2017 at New Delhi. Prof. Charles Colgan is an eminent scholar in ocean economies, transportation and economic development, urban planning and policy analysis. In the recent years, Blue Economy has emerged as a major Prof. Charles Colgan, National Ocean Economics Programme (NOEP), USA delivering the Public Lecture on Blue Economy Framework for Sustainable Development and Economic Prosperity development paradigm for coastal economies. Ocean sector is a key economic growth. For taking this RIS. Ambassador Hardeep S Puri, driver of economic growth for process forward, domestic, regional Chairperson, RIS, chaired the session. littoral countries, and maintenance and global ocean policies need to be Dr. S.K. Mohanty, Professor, RIS gave of good ocean health is the foremost integrated for shaping effectiveness brief Introduction to Blue Economy requirement for sustainable use of of the Blue Economy policies. Programme of RIS. Ambassador K.V. ocean resources. In this regard, SDG Bhagirath, Secretary General, IORA, 14 would certainly complement The programme began with welcome remarks by Professor made special remarks. The lecture efficacy of Blue Economy in coastal was followed by open discussion. economies in accomplishing high Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General,
PM lauds Vision Document on“Asia Africa Growth Corridor” continued from page 1 infrastructure, manufacturing and development priorities of different for Africa through its integration connectivity. ” countries and subregions of Africa, with India, South Asia, Southeast The idea of the AAGC had taking advantage of simultaneous Asia, East Asia and Oceania. The emerged in the joint declaration homogeneity and heterogeneity AAGC would contribute to develop issued by Prime Minister Narendra among them. This would be institutional mechanisms and models Modi and Prime Minister of Japan undertaken to improve growth and for connecting businesses, people Shinzo Abe, in Japan, November interconnectedness between and and think tanks which represent 2016. The AAGC would envisage within Asia and Africa for realizing and contribute people centric sustainable growth a free and open Indo-Pacific region. to integration strategy, details of which would be The AAGC would give priority efforts in Asia and evolved through a process of detailed to development projects in health Africa. consultations across Asia and Africa, and pharmaceuticals, agriculture RIS, the engaging different stakeholders. and agro-processing, disaster Economic The AAGC would be raised management and skill enhancement. Research Institute on four pillars of Development The connectivity aspects of the for ASEAN and and Cooperation Projects, Quality AAGC will be supplemented with East Asia (ERIA), Infrastructure and Institutional quality infrastructure. The AAGC, Jakarta, and the Connectivity, Enhancing Capacities led growth in Africa and Asia Institute of Developing Economies and Skills and People-to-People would be responsive to collective (IDE-JETRO), Tokyo, have developed partnership. The centrality of commitment for the Sustainable the Vision Document based on people to people partnership Development Goals (SDGs). The the consultations with Asian and would be the unique feature of AAGC Vision Study would use African think tanks. The document this initiative. The strengths of the Geographical Simulation Model was released at a side event, held AAGC would be aligned with the (GSM) to bring out economic gains during AfDB Annual Board Meeting at Ahmedabad, India.
6 RIS Diary July 2017 Policy Dialogues Policy Dialogue on Mekong-Ganga Cooperation “Stronger Connectivity and Enhancing Ties” The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in partnership with RIS, the AIC at RIS and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), organised a Policy Dialogue on Mekong- Ganga Cooperation (MGC) titled “Stronger Connectivity and Enhancing Ties” on 8 April 2017 at New Delhi. Welcome address was given by Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS. Ambassador Hardeep S Puri, Chairperson, RIS gave the opening address. Dr Dinesh Amb. Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India releasing Dua, representing CII; and Prof. the AIC-RIS report entitled “Mekong-Ganga Cooperation: Breaking Barriers and Seeking New Lokesh Chandra, President, Indian Heights”. (From left to right) Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi; Ms. Pooja Kapur, Joint Secretary, MEA; Amb. Hardeep S Puri; Prof. Lokesh Chandra, President, Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR);and Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), Dr Dinesh Dua, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). delivered a special addresses. Ms. Preeti Saran, Secretary (East), MEA India would host a seminar on the new initiatives and ideas for helping delivered the keynote address and MGC focusing on building stronger in formulation of an actionable also released the AIC-RIS Report on connectivity and enhancing multi- policy agenda for strengthening “Mekong-Ganga Cooperation: Breaking dimensional ties with the AIC at the MGC through connectivity. Barriers and Seeking New Heights”. Ms. RIS. MGC member-countries had The themes focused were: Physical Pooja Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MEA, nominated participants to the policy and Digital Connectivity; Trade, extended the vote of thanks. dialogue, and over 100 delegates Investment, Value Chains; and This Policy Dialogue was including senior officials from foreign Cultural Relations and People- organised in pursuance to the offices also attended the event. The to-People Contacts and howling announcement of Hon’ble Minister Policy Dialogue was divided into four Ahead: Harnessing the Diversity, of State for External Affairs at the 7th Building the Future. sessions aimed at facilitating an in- Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) depth discussion on various aspects Dr. Prabir De, Coordinator, Ministers Meeting, held at Vientiane relating to experiences of India and AIC, presented the summary and on 24 July 2016. During that meeting, Mekong countries with respect to extended the vote of thanks. the State Minister announced that
Delegation from Chulalongkorn University
A four-member research team from the ASEAN Studies Centre of Chulalongkorn University (CU), Bangkok, visited ASEAN-India Centre at RIS on 16 May 2017 for the interaction session with RIS faculty. The team members included Dr. Surat Horachaikul, Director, Indian Studies Centre, Faculty of Political Science; Dr. Piti Sirsangnam, Assistant Members of the Chulalongkorn University (CU), Bangkok, with RIS faculty-members. Professor, Faculty of Economics; Dr. Anupama Devendrakumar, and Mr. Kittipong Boonkerd, of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Researcher, ASEAN Studies Centre; Lecturer (Hindi Language), Faculty Bangkok, Thailand.
RIS Diary July 2017 7 Policy Dialogues National Consultation on Responsible Research and Innovation The need for the establishment of a proper balanced connect between science and society has assumed a greater importance in the present scenario at the national and global levels. The RIS has been actively engaged in discourses around this issue and has evolved a framework based on the ideas of access, equity and inclusion (AEI) in science, technology and innovation, which is similar to the new concept of the Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) at the global level. Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST, Government of India delivering inaugural address. (From left To discuss the relevance of RRI in the to right): Dr. K Ravi Srinivas, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, and Dr. Parveen Arora. Indian context, RIS, in partnership with the Department of Science and At the inaugural session, Dr. DST presented key remarks; Prof. Technology (DST), Government K. Ravi Srinivas, RIS welcomed the Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST, of India, organised ‘National gathering. Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Govt. of India, delivered inaugural Consultation on Responsible DG, RIS, made presentation on address, and Dr. Amit Kumar, RIS, Research and Innovation (RRI): The extended the vote of thanks. Indian Perspective’ on 28 April 2017 the RRI; and Dr. Parveen Arora, at New Delhi. Sc-G and Head-CHORD Division, The detailed agenda is available on RIS website: www.ris.org.in
Stakeholder Consultation on Traditional Knowledge Digital Library A Stakeholder Consultation on Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) was organised by the Forum on the Indian Traditional Medicine (FITM), RIS, and the Ministry of AYUSH at New Delhi on 30 June 2017. The objective was to elicit views of stakeholders on the action points relating to TKDL in the National IPR (NIPR) Policy 2016. Stakeholders from different parts of the country representing industry, research organisations and universities, Ministries, Patent Office, (From left to right): Dr. Manoj Nesari, Adviser (Ayu) Ministry of AYUSH; Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi; Traditonal medicine practitioners Dr. Rakesh Tiwari, Head, TKDL; and Prof. T. C. James. and Traditional Knolwledge experts The Consultation opened with presented the issues to be addressed particpated in the meeting. This welcome address by Prof. Sachin by the stakeholders during the was the first consultation under Chaturvedi, Director General, RIS. consultation. Dr. Rakesh Tiwari, the FITM, launched by the RIS The inaugural address was delivered Head, TKDL Unit, CSIR, apprised and the Ministry of AYUSH, for by Dr. Manoj Nesari, Advisor of the participants regarding the exploring and studying the impact (Ayush) Ministry of AYUSH on current status of TKDL. and potential of Indian Traditional behalf of Dr. Rajesh Kotecha, Special The detailed agenda is uploaded Medicine (ITM) at the domestic level Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH. Prof on RIS website: www.ris.org.in and in the global trade regime. T. C. James, Member Secretary, FITM,
8 RIS Diary July 2017 Policy Dialogues
National Consultation on Responsible Research and Innovation “Access, Equity and Inclusion are key to RRI in the Indian context”
The topic of responsible research and innovation has got two pillars. The first is technology and the second one is its socio-economic political connect with the society. How to leverage this inter- connectedness in a meaningful way for the benefit of the society as a whole, is big question; more so with the coming of Industry 4.0 into force sooner than later. In this very sense, the idea of Scientific Social Responsibility, as advocated by the Prime Minister, is very pragmatic and timely. S&T is the key to socio-economic development of the country and a scientific institution has certain responsibility towards society. Prof. Ashutosh Sharma The new framework in the form of RRI, being deliberated within the academic and policy circles in Europe, particularly in recent times, has delved into science-technology-society studies and has come out with a set of RRI keys. However, it is important to give Indian meaning to the six keys of the RRI (viz. ethics, societal engagement, gender equality, open access, science education and governance), as propounded by the European Commission. In countries like India, there are many challenges related to basic needs of the society such as safe drinking water, healthcare, sanitation, clean environment, etc. The fruits of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) have not reached to those who need them the most; particularly to those belonging to the lower socio-economic strata of the society. Therefore, any technological intervention, which brings in innovative solutions to address these basic challenges, must also take care of the issues of access, equity and inclusion. In this context, Access, Equity and Inclusion (AEI) framework is very apt for explaining RRI in the Indian context. Inclusion, in its broader meaning, encompasses gender inclusion, geographic inclusion and educational inclusion. This inclusion also brings in people living in villages, farmers, young people, students, and specially-abled people. DST has undertaken many key initiatives for promoting inclusion. In the domain of promoting gender equality in S&T research in India, DST has launched a programme called KIRAN, which would help women scientists to relocate and re-start their career. Science communication is very important and in this area, Vigyan Prasar has been playing a key role through various outreach activities. One such successful endeavour has been the Science Express, which travels to remote corners of the country to disseminate scientific ideas and nurture scientific temperament among the large population across the nation. Given the great potential that the technology can play in addressing many societal challenges, it should also be kept in mind that the technology can be both, an enabler as well as a differentiator; and this socio-political aspect is the key policy challenge, which needs to be treaded carefully. While talking about future, we need to emphasis about ethics.; issues which are related to social engagement, equity and governance and so on, that are all technology dependent. As the technology landscape is changing very fast in the face of big data analytics and the rise of intelligent machines, which are connected to the world, decision-making has become far more complex that human mind can handle. This calls for expanding the horizon of ethics. continued on page 10...
RIS Diary July 2017 9 Policy Dialogues
continued from page 9...
At the same time, there is going to be new models of governance and all that might happen in near future. It would go on happening continuously. It is not about the singularity of Artificial Intelligence (AI) alone, that may or may not come to pass, but we would see continuous changes in the way we view the interaction among technology, machines and the society of the future. In this scenario, there is a greater role for science policy in shaping how technology should interact with the society for greater public good and societal welfare, as this relates to paradigm shift. A new framework based on the contextual realities and requirements needs to be discussed and evolved for the interconnectedness between technology and society that leads to harmony rather than discontent.
Excerpts from the Inaugural Address delivered by Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India at the National Consultation on Responsible Research and Innovation held on 28 April 2017 at New Delhi
National Consultations... continued from page 3
Nutrition; Dr. Shivendra Srivastava, Scientist, National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research; Dr. Prema Ramachandran, Nutrition Foundation of India; and Shri Vishal Kumar Dev, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha. Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog chaired the Session II on Adaptation of Agricultural Strategies for Climate Change Mitigation. The session was co-chaired by Shri Yaduvendra Mathur, Additional Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog speaking at the National Consultation on SDG 2. Secretary, NITI Aayog. The panelists for this session included Scientist, National Institute of programmes of the Government Dr. Ch Srinivas, Director, Central Agricultural Economics and Policy of India, global experience and Research Institute for Dryland Research. In the concluding session trends in the context of SDGs Agriculture; Shri Krishna Kumar, special lecture on ‘Global Perspectives and best practices on policy and DDG, Ministry of Statistics and on Hunger and Malnutrition’ was implementation from States. The Programme Implementation; and Dr. delivered by Mr Shyam Khadka, role of civil society organisations T.P. Rajendran, Visiting Fellow, RIS. FAO Representative, India. The way in achieving specific targets in Session III on Sustainable forward was delivered jointly by Shri these areas was also explored. Key issues under deliberation included: Agriculture and Doubling Farmer’s Jan Delbaere, Deputy Representative, National Food Security Act; Direct Income was chaired by Prof Ramesh WFP and Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Benefit Transfers (Cash Transfers) Chand, Member, NITI Aayog. Key DG, RIS. The closing remarks were in PDS; nutrition outcomes among panelists in this session were Dr. H. given by Dr P. K Anand, Senior women and children; impact of K. Bhanwala, Chairman, NABARD; Consultant, NITI Aayog. climate change and adaptation Shri K. K. Mittal, Additional Chief The day, long consultation strategies; agricultural income and Secretary & Agriculture Production focussed comprehensively on issues credit; quality of data, indicator Commissioner, Government of of national importance on the subject, development on SDGs and Assam; and Dr. Raka Saxena, Senior immediate priorities and policy monitoring.
10 RIS Diary July 2017 Capacity Building Programme
RIS-EXIM Bank Summer School International Trade Theory and Practices In order to contribute towards capacity building of scholars working in international trade, RIS, in association with the Exim Bank of India, organised a Summer School for M.Phil and Ph.D. for students specialising in international trade during 19-24 June 2017 at New Delhi. Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, inaugurated the programme. Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce, Government Over the years, RIS has gained of India inaugurated the RIS-EXIM Bank Summer School. prominence for its contribution international trade. Besides and Information on International to research policy in multilateral promoting, facilitating and financing Trade; Module 3 : Tools and trading system, regional trading India’s international trade, Exim Techniques in Trade Analysis; arrangements, comprehensive Bank of India has under taken many Module 4 : Understanding FTAs economic cooperation architecture initiatives to encourage scholars and Regional Trading Blocs; Module South-South Cooperation, Trade, for focussing on economic research 5 : Issues of Trade in Technology Technology and Investment issues, studies. and Classification Issues; Module 6 defining core expertise of the : Trade and Development: IPRs and institution leading to several research The Course Structure included New Issues; and Module 7 : Group studies and deliberations. the following topics: Module 1 : Recent Developments in Trade Presentations. More than 35 scholars Exim Bank has been entrusted Theory; Module 2 : Databases from all-over India participated in with the task of promoting India’s the capacity building programme.
RIS-EXIM Bank Summer School participants with Commerce Secretary and RIS faculty-members
RIS Diary July 2017 11 New Research Studies and Initiatives
PACER Plus and the Future FIDC North East Regional Scholarships for studies in the area Consultations of Traditional Medicine, arrange of Trade and Investment guest lectures invited talks by Prospects of the Pacific A series of regional consultations is national and international experts, being planned with the objective of Island Economies and organise periodic consultations evolving a dialogue among various with stakeholders in different places The Small Island Developing States stakeholders on the issues associated in India, and provide policy advice (SIDS) in the Pacific, popularly with Indian development cooperation to government. For further details, clubbed as Pacific Island Countries policy and Ministry of DoNER’s vision please contact: Prof. T. C. James: (PICs), are placed in terms of their about development in the North East. [email protected] economy, size, resource endowments, This consultation series is designed size of population, nature of risks to provide an opportunity to discuss Regional Comprehensive and vulnerability and geo-political scope, objectives and modalities in relations. PICs depend on two large the realm of development process of Economic Partnership and advanced economies in the North East states and beyond. The idea Agreement: Need for a region, Australia and New Zealand is to explore possibility to enhance for imports of large variety of people-to-people contact beyond Strategy consumption and luxury goods, the national boundary and situating RCEP member-countries cover half investment and for development North-Eastern states as an effective the world population, 30 per cent of assistance. hub for creating regional value chain world GDP and a quarter of world Besides unilateral trade and from an Act East perspective. trade. The regional grouping has investment policies, PICs are party Effort would be made at the several countries including China to a few existing trade agreements. North Eastern regional consultations whose economies are among the Pacific Agreement on Closer to identify key partners to enhance the most export competitive in the world. Economic Relations (PACER Plus) is sense of partnerships at the local level. The negotiations would be a very a new trade and economic integration For further details, please contact: challenging one for India. India’s agreement among Australia, New Prof. Milindo Chakrabarti: milindo. earlier FTAs or CEPAs with countries Zealand and 12 PICs. PACER Plus [email protected] in this region have not been models of has attracted mixed response from success in their implementation even different stakeholders there is a Forum on Indian Traditional as there have been benefits. If RCEP growing discontent among some Medicine (FITM) has to be more successful, a great PICs regarding some provisions deal of planning and strategising is The Ministry of AYUSH has of the agreement. In collaboration critical. India has to become more established the Forum on Indian with some national institutions competitive for the concessions it from the PICs region, RIS aims Traditional Medicine (FITM) in RIS as a common platform for all actors secures to translate into realisable to undertake studies to examine market access. It should also secure benefits and the costs of the PACER and stakeholders to come together to contribute to pragmatic policy- sufficient flexibilities to be able to Plus for PICs, and link them to ensure that domestic players have economic growth and development making in the area and to develop a proactive strategy to be championed a fair playing field in being able to processes of the ocean-dependent withstand competition. This paper economies. For further details, please by India at the international level. The FITM would commission outlines a possible approach and contact: Dr. Priyadarshi Dash: strategy. [email protected] studies, award Fellowships and
Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Hon'ble External Affairs Minister with other dignitaries on the occasion of the programme on 25 years of ASEAN-India Partnership.
12 RIS Diary July 2017 Contributions to Outside Policy Dialogues
Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi organised jointly by TAAS, • Participated in the BRICS Director General IFPRI and ICAR on 12 May Civil Society Organization • Participated in the India- 2017, New Delhi. (CSO) Forum on 9 June 2017, Africa Health Sciences • Delivered a special address on Fuzhou, China. Collaboration – Working ‘Research and International • Made a presentation on Group Meeting organised Effectiveness: How to ‘Thoughts and Suggestions on jointly by the Indian Council Leverage Indian Capabilities’ further Enhancing the BRICS of Medical Research (ICMR) at the Foundation Day Cooperation Mechanism’ in and Ministry of External Programme of Indian Council the Ninth BRICS Academic Affairs on 6 April 2017, New of Social Science Research Forum on 10-13 June 2017, Delhi. (ICSSR) on 12 May 2017, New Fuzhou, China. • Chaired the session on ‘Role Delhi. • Participated in the of Media in the India-China • Participated in the NeST International conference relationship’ at the ICWA- Global Executive Meeting on on ‘G20 Africa Partnership China Soong Ching Ling 28 May 2017, Berlin. - Investing in a Common Foundation (CSCLF) dialogue • Participated in the Informal Future’, organised jointly on 7 April 2017, New Delhi. exchange on "The Future by the German Federal • Made a presentation on of the GPEDC", organised Ministry of Finance, the ‘Connectivity in the Context by German Development German Federal Ministry of Development of Trade Institute (GDI), on 28 May for Economic Cooperation and Economic Relationship 2017, Berlin. and Development and the between India and China’ Deutsche Bundesbank on 12- at the ICWA- China Soong • Participated in the High-level 13 June 2017, Berlin. Ching Ling Foundation T20 Summit under German presidency, organised by • Made a presentation on ‘India- (CSCLF) dialogue on 7 April Russia Economic Cooperation’ 2017, New Delhi. German Development Institute (GDI) on 29 May in the Roundtable Discussion • Delivered Keynote Address 2017, Berlin. on the 70th anniversary of the at the Conference on establishment of diplomatic "Strengthening Cooperation • Made a presentation relations between Russia and among BBIN Countries: The on ‘India’s Food Security India, organised by Diplomatic Road Ahead", organised Concerns at the Multilateral Academy, Ministry of Foreign jointly by Institute for Negotiations’ at the Joint Affairs of Russia on 15 June Strategic and Socio-Economic Workshop on India’s Food 2017, Moscow. Research (ISSR), UN ESCAP, Security: Local and Global • Participated in the Roundtable The Asia Foundation and Dimensions, organised jointly Discussion on New Faces Pavilion Group on 17 April by Peace Research Institute and New Strategies: HR and 2017, Kathmandu. Oslo (PRIO) and Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis Funding Challenges for Think • Participated in the Third (IDSA) on 30 May 2017, Oslo. Tanks, organised jointly by Meeting of the BIMSTEC McKinsey & Company, ORF Network of Policy Think • Made a presentation on and TTCSP on 21 June 2017, Tanks (BNPTT), organised ‘Health and Environment in New Delhi. jointly by the Government of the Context of the Sustainable Bangladesh and the Centre for Development Goals’ at • Made a presentation on ‘Smart Policy Dialogue (CPD), Dhaka the National Consultation Panchayats for New India on 22-23 April 2017, Dhaka. on Environmental Health with SDGs’ at the Conference organised jointly by Public of State Panchayati Raj • Panelist at the session on Ministers, organised by the Strategies to accomplish SDGs Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Centre for Ministry of Panchayati Raj on at the National conference 27 June 2017, Bhopal. on Sustainable Development Environmental Health and Goals: India’s preparedness TISS, on 5 June 2017 at New and role of agriculture Delhi.
RIS Diary July 2017 13 Contributions to Outside Policy Dialogues
• Made a presentation on organized by the DIPP Chair Dr. Priyadarshi Dash ‘Globalization, Regional Trade on IPR and National Law Research Associate University, Jodhpur on 8 and Alliance and WTO’ at the 57th • Represented RIS in the 9 April 2017 and delivered NDC Course, organised by 2nd IORA Blue Economy talks on Access to Knowledge National Defence College Ministerial Conference held in and Information. (NDC) on 30 June 2017 at New Jakarta, during 8-10 May 2017. Delhi. • Participated as Guest of • Made a presentation as Honour in the National panelist in the plenary Prof. S. K. Mohanty Workshop on Piracy in the Entertainment Industry, and thematic sessions on • Participated in the Discussion organised by Delhi University, Blue Economy in the India- Meeting on US National Campus Law Centre I on 20 Pacific Islands Sustainable Policy, organised by FICCI, April 2017, New Delhi. Development Conference on 13 April 2017 at New Delhi. held in Suva, Fiji on 25-26, • Delivered talk as May 2017. • Participated in the Discussion Distinguished Panelist at Meeting held in the the Round Table Discussion • Participated in the India- Department of Commerce, organised at Campus Law China Think Tanks Forum New Delhi and made a Centre II, on Copyright Law Meeting held at Beijing, presentation on the Project with special reference to China, during 22-26 June 2017 Study 'India’s Engagement Academic Institutions on 27 and delivered lecture on the with LAC Countries in Trade April 2017, New Delhi. topic 'Bilateral Cooperation in and Investment' on 16 June • Participated as a resource Manufacturing between India 2017. person in the Orientation and China'. • Participated in the Discussion Programme on SDGs for Meeting on 'India-Mauritius Nodal Officers, jointly Dr. Sabyasachi Saha CEPA Negotiations', held at organised by the Himachal Assistant Professor the Department of Commerce, Pradesh Government, NFI and • Made a presentation on Ministry of Commerce on 15 Himachal Pradesh Institute 'Digital Economy for May 2017 at New Delhi. of Public Administration Emergence, Transformation (HIPA) and delivered talks and Inclusion: Recent Strides Prof. T. C. James on SDGs in India: Union to State level at HIPA, Dhalli, in India” at the International Visiting Fellow Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, on Conference on “Emergence • Participated in the Two - 30 May 2017 . of Africa (ICEA)”, organised Day National Conference on by UNDP and Government • Delivered talks on legal Corporate Laws, organised by of Cote d’Ivoire at Abidjan concepts of Intellectual during 28-30 March 2017. the National Law University, Property Rights and Issues Delhi, and chaired the session of Trial and Procedure in the • Made a presentation on on Intellectual Property Laws Orientation Programme on 'Intra-BRICS Trade in High on 23 March 2017, New Delhi. IPRs and Enforcement for Technology: Opportunities • Participated as Resource Delhi Judicial Service Officers of Industrial Value Chains Person in the National at the Delhi Judicial Academy, in BRICS' at the 2017 BRICS Conference on Intellectual New Delhi on 19 May 2017. Think Tank Symposium Property Rights and Public on BRICS Cooperation and Global Value Chains, held Interest, organised by the Dr. K. Ravi Srinivas Indian Law Institute, New at Guangzhou, China, on 16 Visiting Fellow Delhi, and delivered a talk on May 2017. Affordability and Accessibility • Participated in the kick off on 7 April 2017. meeting of NewHoRRIzon Project, held at Vienna on 15- • Participated in the Conference 16 May 2017. on Copyright and Technology,
14 RIS Diary July 2017 Latest Publications reports Contributions to Outside Publications by RIS Faculty Asia Africa Growth Corridor: Partnership for Sustainable and Chaturvedi, Sachin. 2017. 'India’s Rising Economic Innovative Development : A Vision Clout and Global Role: The Nexus of Growth Document and Poverty and Relevance to U.S. Policy'. RIS, ERIA, IDE-JETRO, New Delhi, 2017 ASPEN Institute Congressional Program on India Emergence and Development Challenges: Policy Implications for the U.S. on 18-26 February 2017, New Delhi and Hyderabad, Vol.33 No.1. Mekong-Ganga Cooperation: Breaking Chaturvedi, Sachin and Krishna Ravi Srinivas. 2017. Barriers and Seeking New Heights 'Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Rice AIC – RIS, New Delhi, 2017 Strategy for India' in The Future Rice Strategy for India by P.Chengappa, M.Hegde and S.Mohanty (Eds) – Elsevier/IRRI – Pp 277-299. RIS discussion paper Chaturvedi, Sachin. 2017. ‘Modi in Germany: Will India’s FTA pragmatism bring EU out of its shell?’, #209 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Business Standard, 29 May Agreement: Need for a Strategy by V. S. Seshadri Chaturvedi, Sachin. 2017. 'How to cut across corridors'. The Economic Times, 14 June, New Delhi RIS Policy Brief De, Prabir. 2017. 'Look East to Act East: India’s #78 Manufacturing in India and other BRICS Economic Engagements with ASEAN' in C. J Countries: A Stuttering Performance by Thomas and K Sarda (eds.) Act East and India’s Manmohan Agarwal, June 2017 North-East, Pentagan Press, New Delhi. Journals De, Prabir. 2017. 'Contemporary Contours of ASEAN- India Relation'. in World Trade Centre (ed.) Asian Biotechnology and Development Review Handbook: International Trade, Mumbai. Vol. 19 No. 1, March 2017 De, Prabir. 2017. 'South Asian Countries Building South Asia Economic Journal Connections'. East Asia Forum, 24 June 2017. Vol. 18 No. 1, April 2017 De, Prabir. 2017. 'BBIN: From Transit to Economic Corridors'. Trade Insight, Vol. 12, No. 3. RIS Diary Mohanty, S. K. 2017. Contributed a chapter in the Vol. 13 No. 2, April 2017 Knowledge Paper on Blue Economy Vision 2025: Harnessing Business Potential for India Inc. and Blue economy Policy brief International Partners. Published by FICCI Task #2 Blue Economy, Ocean Development and Force, April. SDG-14: Implications for the Marine Ecosystem Mohanty, S.K., Priyadarshi Dash, Sanura Fernandez by S. K. Mohanty and Pankhuri Gaur, RIS, and Pankhuri Gaur. 2017. Draft India-Mauritius April 2017, New Delhi Joint Study Group Report. Ministry of Commerce and Industry, for discussion, June.
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RIS Diary July 2017 15 Professor Sukhamoy Chakravarty's Contribution to Development and Indian Policy Prof. Chakravarty was a scholar with an astonishing breadth of knowledge. Even as an economist, he engaged in a wide ranging set of activities. He was a teacher, a policy-maker, a development economist who trides to develop a new unified consensus on development theory and was involved in developing research agenda. He headed many bodies that pushed forward economic research, including RIS. He was involved with RIS from its very inception, including its establishment. Given his world view, he believed in the need to enhance cooperation on research how the international system interaction with the needs of developing countries. The research would lay the foundation for South-South Cooperation. Prof. Manmohan Agarwal He placed a strong emphasis on scholarship and democratic debate. He did not fit into the stereotype of economists and policy-makers, interested merely in growth, despite his considerable familiarity with models of growth and his own contributions in that field. His research dealt with the following categories: (i) Mathematical explorations of many development issues; (ii) Conceptual basis of development economics, stressing both its historical and intellectual origins; (iii) Issues relating to Indian development, particularly planning; and (iv) Monetary and financial aspects of development leading to integration of real and financial issues in the development economics. Prof. Chakravarty’s experience showed the importance of a political consensus for consistent policy making over an extended period of time. In 1950s and 1960s, there was a consensus about development policy as exemplified by the Report in 1951 of the UN expert group. The consensus lasted for over a quarter of a century before finally crumbling in 1980s; the argument was made that the same economics applied to developed and developing economies despite differences in their income levels. Growth of agricultural productivity was necessary to bring about development. Only then the surplus labour can be transferred to industry. But for rapid growth, capital goods production was necessary. Together with the spread of education, health and nutrition, it would lead to rapid growth and exploitation of economies of the scale potentially existing in the industrial sector. His preferred policy for agricultural development was to boost productivity of small farms. But this required deep rooted reforms based on the proper assessment of the physical factor endowments, knowledge of techniques of production and property rights. According to him, a small holder-based development path would produce crops preferred by poorer households and help draw out the potential surplus available on small holdings. After all this was the development strategy stressed in earlier writings on development. The potential implicit in rural employment patterns stressed by these early writings could be used for asset formation through a rural employment scheme. Prof. Chakravarty stressed that one of the shortcomings of Indian performance was the inability to develop technological capabilities. The technological gap in Indian industry had increased. Imports of knowledge and capital goods were needed as much of technical progress is embodied in them. But imports should not stifle domestic capabilities. Also, reliance on FDI might not lead to cheaper capital goods, which is the way that beneficial effects spread. He believed that the best way of acquiring foreign technology was the Japanese way which succeeded in separating import of technology from supply of capital, namely FDI. Furthermore, investment in human capital was essential to enable appropriate learning by doing from foreign technology. While he continued to stress the importance of production of capital goods in India, he changed his views regarding appropriate pattern of investment for a labour surplus economy from one stressing capital goods to one stressing investments, which would bring about agricultural transformation and increase production of goods consumed by the poor. Prof. Chakravarty underlined that main responsibilities of the state were to complete agrarian transition, to improve capacity to assimilate new technology and to improve health and education facilities, all necessary for a transition to a more humane society.
* Excerpts from the special lecture on Prof. Sukhamoy Chakravarty’s Contributions to Development and Indian Policy, delivered by Prof. Manmohan Agarwal at RIS on 17 March 2017, New Delhi.
16 RIS Diary July 2017